Identification of small ruminants

Abstract

A system for identifying a ruminant, which is being milked. The system includes a transmitter attached to a hind leg of the ruminant and the transmitter transmits a predefined signal, which identifies the ruminant to which the transmitter is attached. The system includes at least one teat cup on which is attached an antenna to receive the signal with which to identify the animal. The teat cup is positionable on the ruminant's teat. A method for using the system is taught as is a teat cup having an antenna fixed thereon.

1 . A system for identifying a ruminant being milked, said system including: 
 a transmitter attached to a hind part of the ruminant and operable to transmit a predefined signal identifying the ruminant to which said transmitter is attached; and    at least one teat cup positionable on a teat of the ruminant being milked and having an antenna affixed thereto, said antenna operable to receive the predefined signal and to provide the signal via a receiver device to a processor for interpreting the predefined signal thereby identifying the ruminant being milked.    
   
   
       2 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said transmitter is adapted for attachment to a hind leg of the ruminant.  
   
   
       3 . A system according to  claim 2  wherein said transmitter is attachable to the hind leg by a strap.  
   
   
       4 . A system according to  claim 3  wherein said strap is an elastic strap.  
   
   
       5 . A system according to  claim 2  wherein said transmitter is part of a tag, said tag attachable to the hind leg.  
   
   
       6 . A system according to  claim 5  wherein said tag is an electronic ear tag.  
   
   
       7 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said transmitter is adapted for attachment above the hock of a hind leg of the ruminant.  
   
   
       8 . A system according to  claim 1  wherein said transmitter is a transponder.  
   
   
       9 . A system according to  claim 8  wherein said system further includes a stationary interrogation unit, said unit including a transmitter and a receiver.  
   
   
       10 . A system according to  claim 8  wherein said transponder is adapted for attachment to a hind leg of the ruminant.  
   
   
       11 . A system according to  claim 10  wherein said transponder is attachable to the hind leg by a strap.  
   
   
       12 . A system according to  claim 11  wherein said strap is an elastic strap.  
   
   
       13 . A system according to  claim 10  wherein said transponder is part of a tag, said tag attachable to the hind leg.  
   
   
       14 . A system according to  claim 13  wherein said tag is an electronic ear tag.  
   
   
       15 . A system according to  claim 8  wherein said transponder is adapted for attachment above the hock of a hind leg of the ruminant.  
   
   
       16 . A teat cup for positioning on a teat of a ruminant during milking, said teat cup including: 
 a flow-through vessel for collecting milk from the ruminant; and    an antenna affixed to said vessel to receive a signal that identifies the animal on which the teat cup is positioned.    
   
   
       17 . A teat cup according to  claim 16  further including a casing for enclosing said antenna and holding it to said teat cup.  
   
   
       18 . A teat cup according to  claim 17  wherein said casing is constructed of a flexible waterproof material.  
   
   
       19 . A teat cup according to  claim 16  wherein said teat cup is constructed of plastic material and said antenna is encased in said plastic material during the process of manufacture of said teat cup.  
   
   
       20 . A method for identifying a ruminant, said method including the steps of: 
 attaching a means for collecting milk to a teat of a ruminant, the means for collecting milk having an antenna affixed thereto;    affixing a transmitter to a hind part of the ruminant, the transmitter transmitting a predefined signal identifying the ruminant;    receiving the transmitted predefined signal by the antenna; and    transferring the predefined signal via a receiver device to a processor which processes the signal and identifies the ruminant on which the means for collecting milk is attached.    
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 20  wherein said affixing step is a step of affixing a transponder.  
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 20  wherein said affixing step is effected by affixing the transmitter to a hind leg of the ruminant.  
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 22  wherein said affixing step is effected by affixing the transmitter to a hind leg of the ruminant using a strap.  
   
   
       24 . A method according to  claim 23  wherein said affixing step is effected by affixing the transmitter to a hind leg of the ruminant using an elastic strap.  
   
   
       25 . A method according to  claim 22  wherein said affixing step is effected by affixing the transmitter to a hind leg of the ruminant above the hock.  
   
   
       26 . A method according to  claim 20  wherein said affixing step is effected by affixing the transmitter as part of a tag attachable to a hind leg of the ruminant.